ORLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Mayor Matt Romano at 6:00 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Councilmembers Brandon Smith, Terrie Barr, John McDermott, Vice Mayor JC Tolle and Mayor Matt
Romano
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: City Manager Pete Carr; City Attorney Greg Einhorn; Police Chief Joe Vlach; City Clerk Jennifer
Schmitke; Fire Chief Justin Chaney
CITIZENS COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION
Orland resident Jeffrey Tolley inquired about the possibility of sharing additional details with the public regarding the closed session items. Attorney Greg Einhorn responded, stating that no further information could be disclosed beyond what is already listed on the agenda.
MEETING ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 6:03 PM.
CLOSED SESSION ENDED AND RECONVENED TO REGULAR SESSION AT 6:35 PM.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION – No reportable action was taken.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Warrant List (Payable Obligations)
B. Approve City Council Minutes for January 7, 2025
C. Receive and File Library Commission Minutes from November 18, 2024 D. Receive and File EDC Commission Minutes from November 13, 2024 E. Receive and File Arts Commission Minutes from November 20, 2024 F. Receive and File Planning Commission Minutes from December 19, 2024 G. Approval of Paint Color for City Hall
H. Approval of Westside Ambulance Subsidy Agreement
I. Approval of Service Agreements for Dispatch and Animal Control Councilmember Barr requested to pull item I for further discussion.
ACTION: Councilmember McDermott moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Tolle, to approve consent calendar items 7A – 7H as presented. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
Councilmember Barr expressed concerns about the service agreement for animal control.
Attorney Greg Einhorn clarified that the agreement includes a provision allowing termination with one year's notice. Mr. Carr reminded the Council that this topic was an ongoing discussion between the City and the County in 2024. After addressing questions, the Council agreed to approve the agreements as presented. Councilmember Barr requested to revisit and review the contracts as a future agenda item for further discussion.
ACTION: Councilmember McDermott moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Tolle, to approve item I on the consent calendar. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
PRESENTATION
A. State Assembly Plaque Presentation
Mayor Romano honored former Orland City Councilmembers Bruce Roundy, Chris Dobbs, and Jeffrey Tolley by presenting them with commemorative plaques, provided by State Assemblyman Gallagher's office.
B. Police Department Annual Presentation
Chief Vlach delivered a slideshow presentation highlighting the Orland Police Department’s (OPD) activities and accomplishments in 2024. The department currently operates with a team of ten patrol officers, including two K-9 units and one School Resource Officer (SRO), supported by two sergeants and one chief of police. OPD has successfully filled all non-sworn positions, which include an Administrative/Records Supervisor, a Property & Evidence/Community Service Officer (CSO), and a Public Safety Clerk.
Chief Vlach shared that the department reported a total of 4,424 incidents in 2024, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the 4,987 incidents in 2023. The most frequent calls for service included suspicious circumstances/vehicles/persons, followed by disturbing the peace and welfare checks.
On the enforcement side, the top citations issued were for running stop signs (34 citations), driving traffic with an unlicensed or suspended license (52 citations), and expired vehicle registration (50 citations). Traffic collisions in 2024 also showed a slight decline, with 118 reported incidents, consisting of 111 non-injury collisions and 7 involving injuries.
Chief Vlach highlighted several multi-year projects successfully completed in 2024, including the installation of cameras and keycard access systems at the library, Carnegie Center, and Library Park. Chief Vlach shared that the City Hall/Police Department building received new flooring, and the sergeants' office and evidence room were remodeled.
Chief Vlach reported that OPD K-9 unit continued to excel, logging over 380 training hours and participating in 15 deployments. These included 7 narcotics searches, 2 article searches with finds, and 7 surrenders, demonstrating the critical role of the K-9 team in supporting department operations.
Chief Vlach also praised the contributions of the Orland Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), who collectively donated an impressive 1,186 volunteer hours despite a reduction in membership. The 12 active members played key roles in a variety of community events, including vaccination clinics, parades, the Glenn County Fair, Orland High School’s Sober Grad Night, Avenue of Lights, and more. Chief Vlach expressed his sincere gratitude for their dedication, emphasizing their invaluable impact on both OPD and the community.
Looking ahead, Chief Vlach outlined future goals for the department, including the recruitment of additional patrol staff. Once this expansion is achieved, OPD aims to explore the possibility of introducing a detective or lieutenant position. Collaboration with the Orland Fire Department will remain a priority, with ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure through the radio project and further phases of surveillance and keycard access improvements.
Councilmembers discussed with Chief Vlach OPD staffing levels current/future and departmental needs to ensure the success of the police department. They also expressed their gratitude to Chief Vlach and the entire Orland Police Department for their dedication and service to the community.
C. Fire Department Annual Presentation
Chief Chaney delivered a slide presentation on the Fire Department’s 2024 activities, highlighting key achievements and future objectives. The Orland Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD) currently operates with a team of 40 volunteers, supported by a full-time office assistant. In 2024, the department responded to a total of 782 calls, comprising 419 within city limits (307 medical, 38 fire, and 28 vehicle collision incidents) and 363 in rural areas.
Chief Chaney highlighted the positive strides made within this year’s budget, including the replacement of critical firefighting equipment: 8 sets of turnouts, 8 structural helmets, 8 pairs of structural boots, and essential hose replacements. Additionally, the department acquired 4 mobile radios and 4 portable radios to enhance communication capabilities.
The Council was informed that the average OVFD volunteer dedicates approximately 125 hours to training annually, underscoring their commitment to maintaining a high level of preparedness.
Looking ahead, Chief Chaney outlined the department’s goals, which include actively pursuing grant opportunities, finalizing the radio infrastructure project, replacing the main fire station roof, advancing the training facility and pump testing area, upgrading the SCBA compressor, and grading and repaving the station’s front parking lot.
Councilmembers expressed their gratitude to Chief Chaney and the OVFD volunteers for their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to protecting the community.
Councilmembers engaged Chief Chaney in a discussion about the fire department's fleet and equipment, inquiring about any additional needs to support their operations. They expressed their gratitude to Chief Chaney and all Orland volunteer firefighters for their hard work and dedication to the City. The Council also discussed exploring options for a new roof for the fire station and upgrading older 4-inch water lines in the downtown area to improve water capacity and enhance public safety.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
A. Public Safety and City Hall Facilities
Mr. Carr provided an update on the proposed Public Safety Center (PSC) planned for Sixth Street and Colusa Street, which would also include a water storage tank and well. He presented a slideshow featuring the Winters PSC as a model, emphasizing its efficient design and practicality. Mr. Carr noted that an architect had been engaged to assess how a similar facility could be implemented on the City’s parcel and reviewed past plans for the project.
Mr. Carr addressed funding challenges, explaining that the City’s 2020 pension debt refinancing strategy was partly designed to allocate resources for the PSC. However, shifting priorities caused by the pandemic, drought, a major water project, and rising construction costs slowed progress. Despite these setbacks, staff have actively pursued funding opportunities through organizations such as USDA, 3CORE, and Capitol Public Finance (CPF).
Mr. Carr highlighted the need for firehouse repairs and discussed the potential relocation of City Hall, which would create the necessary space for the Police Department.
The Council discussed the Public Safety Center and engaged Mr. Carr, Chief Vlach, and Chief Chaney in a conversation about future growth and space needs for City Hall, the Orland Police Department, and the Orland Volunteer Fire Department.
Orland resident Earl Megginson inquired about the City-owned property at 824 Fourth Street (Hecho building).
County resident Kristy Rumble expressed concerns about the lot size for the proposed new public safety facility.
County resident Manuel Quezada shared his perspective on accommodating the needs of the police department.
County resident Joannie Woods asked questions about the future public safety facility and voiced her agreement with Mr. Quezada's viewpoint.
County resident Valerie Johnson recommended that the City consider Mr. Quezada's input and praised him for his business insight.
Council explored various options, including the possibility of allowing the Police Department to expand into the City Hall side of the building, relocating City Hall to a different location, and maintaining the Fire Department building and its current location as is. After a thorough discussion, the Council agreed to table the item for further review and revisit it at the next council meeting in two weeks.
B. Hotel Demand Feasibility Study
Mr. Carr briefly highlighted the City’s long-standing recognition of the need for additional lodging facilities. He explained that City staff has been actively working with brokers and developers to attract new hotels, although they currently lack the data necessary to substantiate these efforts.
To fill this gap, staff sought proposals from three respected firms to conduct an, industrystandard lodging demand analysis. These studies will include site visits, stakeholder interviews, economic and tourism evaluations, a regional competition survey, and more. The resulting reports will offer recommendations on the number of hotel rooms that could be supported and their potential price range. Mr. Carr suggested the council consider whether to defer the study to a private party or to pay for the study as a public document. Mr. Carr noted that the Orland Economic Development Commission (EDC) recommended that the City Council move forward with a lodging demand study.
The three proposals were as follows:
1. Kallenberger Jones & Co (Costa Mesa, CA)
o Cost: $7,500 for a basic report covering one selected site o Timeline: 3 weeks for a draft report
2. RevPar International (Offices in Denver, Miami, and Washington, D.C.) o Cost: $17,900 + ancillary expenses for analysis of three sites, including a proforma for proposed hotels o Timeline: 4-5 weeks
3. Economic & Planning Systems (EPS) (Sacramento, CA)
o Cost: $33,500 for a comprehensive analysis, including up to twelve sites o Timeline: 8-10 weeks
Councilmembers reviewed and discussed the three firms under consideration, raising various questions about their proposals.
Orland resident Helen Tolle expressed her view that the City, rather than the hotel, should bear the cost of the study.
Ron Lane, Chairperson of the Economic Development Commission and Orland resident, shared his perspective on and support for the recommendation.
Mr. Tolley offered his opinion and support on the proposed study.
The Council reviewed the proposals and firms, reaching a consensus that the City is not only prepared but also in clear need of an additional hotel.
ACTION: Councilmember McDermott moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, to award the bid to RevPar for a publicly available document. Motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.
City Manager Verbal Report
• Mr. Carr shared that City Staff has posted the RFP for attorney services.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mr. Tolley thanked the City Council, City Staff and City Attorney for their service to the community.
Orland resident and Recreation Commission Chairperson Larry Carmona shared that the Recreation Commission will be bringing to a City Council meeting in the near future a recommendation for updates to the City pool.
Ms. Rumble shared her concerns about pedestrian crosswalks along SR 32 and about the traffic signal at Commerce and Newville Road.
County resident Yvonna Bennett shared her concerns about mailbox rules manipulation.
County resident Manual Quezada submitted an offer to the City for 824 Fourth Street.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES
Councilmember Smith:
• Attended the January Orland Chamber of Commerce meeting. • Attended the January 13th Library Commission meeting. • Expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming Council discussion on the pool renovation project.
Councilmember McDermott:
• Attended the January 14th Economic Development Commission meeting.
Councilmember Barr:
• Attended the joint meeting with the Willows City Council, County of Glenn, and Orland City Council on January 16th.
• Will attend the Cal Cities New Council Member Training in Sacramento. • Mentioned hearing that Chico may be planning to expand westward toward Orland. • Expressed concerns about the pedestrian crossing near Moe’s Market on 6th Street.
Vice Mayor Tolle:
• Attended the Board of Supervisors meeting.
• Plans to attend the New Council Member Training in Sacramento from January 22nd to 24th.
Mayor Romano:
• Raised concerns about both commercial and residential development. • Advocated for reviewing and updating design standards. • Shared insights from a discussion with a Caltrans contact, emphasizing the need for the City to develop a comprehensive plan for Walker Street updates. • Highlighted the importance of updating the circulation plan. • Voiced concerns about park planning and potential expansion. • Discussed the new water tank and stressed the urgency of upgrading water lines in the downtown area.
Councilmembers expressed interest in including the following items on a future agenda for further discussion:
• A traffic study for Highway 32
• Objective design standards
• A pedestrian crossing at the railroad tracks
Mayor Romano suggested instead of traditional staff reports and RFPs the possibility of presentations from professionals to provide deeper insights into these future projects.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:41 PM
Jennifer Schmitke, City Clerk Mathew Romano, Mayor